Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 05-22-07 regular minutes — reading text

Eglin' s mission, if he was concerned about the height restrictions, if other flags could be flown from the flag pole, if other people could use the same ordinance, and whether it could be considered an advertising banner. Mr. Odom replied he supported Eglin' s mission and if it would interfere with their mission he would agree but Eglin has already stated they have no objection to flag poles to 200 feet; that he will not fly other flags and voluntarily committed to flying the American flag; others could use the same ordinance and fly a flag of a state or country other than an American flag; it could not be considered an advertising banner as the City Code specifically prohibits advertising flags or banners on The flag poles. question was asked if the pole would have additional heavier reinforced construction to 11.. prevent it falling toward the park area. Mr. Odom stated the foundation is 17 feet square by eight feet thick with 2 ~ inch bolts five feet long imbedded in the concrete and is designed not to tilt over in any direction. The Mayor Pro Tem opened the public hearing. Bill Walter, 320 Smith Drive NE, commended Mr. Odom for improving Fort Walton Beach greatly then spoke against a 170' flag pole that exceeds the height limitation and if it is allowed expressed at Uptown Station then everyone in the City should be allowed to do the same. Janet and Frank Fuller, 76 Waynel Circle, spoke in support of ordinance 1724 that would allow a 170' flag pole and expressed it would add to the values of the community and bring a sense of pride to see an American flag flying over the City. Bill Patterson, 35 Anastasia Drive, spoke against a 170' flag pole because of the height issue and suggested instead that five bronze statutes be put up as a monument for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, with a beautiful fountain at the foot of a 70' flag pole and call it the Fountain of Freedom. Peter Doherty, 7 Anastasia Drive, spoke in favor of the change in the Code to allow a 170' flag pole and expressed there is nothing harmful about a flag pole. Gary Paulzak, 171 Eldredge Road, spoke in favor of the change to the Code to allow a 170' flag pole and expressed that codes are made to change with the times. Buddy Carter, 5 Buckingham Way, Shalimar, spoke in favor of a 170' flag pole and expressed it would stand out not only to the residents but to the visitors to the area and the code needs agreed to be changed. Nitsi Bennet, 101 Methodist Street and tenant at Uptown Station, spoke in favor of the ordinance that would allow a 170' flag pole and encouraged Council to support it. Patrick Doherty spoke in favor of a 170' flag pole and expressed it is something the City and all the people would enjoy year round. Bill Patterson, 35 Anastasia Drive, expressed concern on the wind velocity the flag pole would withstand. Rachael Frazier, 1147 Patriot Court, spoke in favor of a 170' flag pole and expressed as a military spouse it would speak strongly of their heritage. Bill Walter, 320 Smith Drive, expressed the flag does not belong to the military, it belongs to all.  Regular Council 5- 22- 07 293 ORD. 1724 cont. Ramon Collado, owner of Baskin- Robbins at 91 Eglin Parkway NE, spoke in support of a 170' flag pole and expressed as an active duty sergeant in the Air Force having been deployed many times that nothing makes them feel better to come home and see the flag, that it should be dedicated to the entire town, not just the military, and displayed with honor. As there was no one further who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Miller moved to adopt Ord. 1724 on first reading. Mr. Holmes seconded motion. Discussion included views in support of the ordinance to allow a 170' flag pole and a view in opposition to the ordinance with the concern expressed that the height will interfere with the I".,.., mission of Eglin and it did not include the restrictions suggested by Eglin. The question was asked of the City Attorney, since the Municipal Planning Board did not recommend approval of the Ordinance, if Mr. Odom would have to go back before the Municipal Planning Board to get permission to build the flag pole if the ordinance is adopted. The City Attorney answered that the Application for Conditional Use would have to go back before the MunicipalPlanning Board. The question was asked if Council could do anything so that Mr. Odom can come directly to Council. The City Attorney explained that would set up an entirely new for single family process to circumvent site plan review or some of the other exceptions in the Code residences, and that is not within the purview of what is set out in the ordinance at this time. The Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote on the motion and it carried by a vote of 4 to 1 with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, and Garvie in favor and Pullen opposed ( Hartwell absent). CONSULTING SERVICES FOR STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY METHODS Staff requests Council authorization to award consulting services for a Study of Alternative Delivery Methodologies for City Services ( RFP 07- 117) to the top ranked firm, Management Advisory Group Inc., of Tallahassee, FL for a fee not to exceed $ 67, 500. 00. John Hofstad, Utilities Director, explained the item is a continuation of Council direction to explore the feasibility of contracting out city services in an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City government. Staff requests authorization to award the RFP for consulting services for a study of alternative delivery methodologies for city services to the top ranked firm, Management Advisory Group. It was questioned whether money could be saved if fire services were not included in the study. The City Manager noted staff could negotiate the final scope of services if Council wished to take out fire services. The Mayor Pro Tem opened the floor for public input. Lee Bobo, 38 Memorial Parkway, questioned spending money for a firm to tell the City how to better deliver services. As there was no one further who wished to speak, public input was closed. Mr. Holmes moved to award RFP 07. 117 consulting services for a Study of Alternative Delivery Methodologies for City Services to the top ranked firm, Management Advisory Group Inc. of Tallahassee, Florida for a fee not to exceed $ 67, 500. 00. Mr. Reeves seconded motion. In response to the question on how the study would be funded, the City Manager explained, if the item is approved, contingency funds would be used and then at the end of the fiscal year a budget amendment would be necessary.  Council 294 Regular 5- 22- 07 CONSULTING SERVICES FOR STUDY cont. The Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote on the motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, and Pullen in favor ( Hartwell absent). Mr. Miller moved to exclude fire services from the study. Dr. Pullen seconded motion and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, and Pullen in favor ( Hartwell absent). ACTING CITY MANAGER Consideration of a request to appoint a Charter Officer as Assistant City Manager. Duties: to act asCity Manager in the absence of the City Manager. Dr. Pullen noted the Charter states Council cannot tell staff what to do and staff does not have authority of a Charter Officer. He believed in the absence of the City Manager that Council should name a Charter Officer as an Assistant City Manager. The City Attorney read the section of the Charter which gives Council authority to appoint an Assistant City Manager. Dr. Pullen moved to appoint Charter Officer Helen Spencer, City Clerk, to act as Assistant City Manager in the absence of the City Manager. Mr. Garvie seconded motion. Mr. Holmes moved to amend the motion to strike the words Helen Spencer, City Clerk, and substitute Senior Charter Officer, excluding the City Attorney. Motion to amend died for lack of a second. Mr. Miller moved to amend the motion to strike the words Helen Spencer, City Clerk, and substitute the most experienced Senior Charter Officer with the of Fort Walton Beach, City the excluding City Attorney. Mr. Holmes seconded motion to amend and it carried unanimously with Holmes, Miller, Reeves, Garvie, and Pullen in favor ( Hartwell absent). The Mayor Pro Tem called for the vote on the motion, as amended, to appoint the most experienced Senior Charter Officer with the City of Fort Walton Beach, excluding the City Attorney, to act as the Assistant City Manager in